I know VERY well that what you see on TV does not always reflect who racers are in life. Editing is a very powerful tool.

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"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

CBS ANNOUNCES THE CAST FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF "THE AMAZING RACE," WHICH PREMIERES WITH A SPECIAL 90-MINUTE DEBUT ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 26 11 Teams Will Travel Over 32,000 Miles, Spanning Four Continents and 30 Cities, with Inaugural Visits to Bangladesh, Ghana and a Trek Deep into the Arctic Circle

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

Forgive me if this has already been brought up (I didn't see it here) but... Chad and Stephanie incurred a 30 minute penalty at the end of the last leg that was going to be applied to their start time for this leg of the race. I am not sure how far behind Jill and Thomas they were but add 30 min. The other teams were wondering where they were but, they may not have been aware of the penalty. In other clips, they had caught up with the other teams (Chad seen with Jill and when he proposes, Brooke, Claire and Nick were seen witnessing it.) One might think that Chad would have proposed after the elimination but they usually do not show post pitstop happenings in the same episode (except for private interviews). Myself, I think they were stuck with the HoO and the location was beautiful, so he decided the time was right.

I am not sure who far ahead of Jill and Thomas that Gary and Mallory were but I believe they caught up at the airport. They are MIA in all the clips of tasks and were very lost so I am, unfortunately calling a Gary and Mallory elimination this week.

Forgive me if this has already been brought up (I didn't see it here) but... Chad and Stephanie incurred a 30 minute penalty at the end of the last leg that was going to be applied to their start time for this leg of the race. I am not sure how far behind Jill and Thomas they were but add 30 min. The other teams were wondering where they were but, they may not have been aware of the penalty. In other clips, they had caught up with the other teams (Chad seen with Jill and when he proposes, Brooke, Claire and Nick were seen witnessing it.) One might think that Chad would have proposed after the elimination but they usually do not show post pitstop happenings in the same episode (except for private interviews). Myself, I think they were stuck with the HoO and the location was beautiful, so he decided the time was right.

I am not sure who far ahead of Jill and Thomas that Gary and Mallory were but I believe they caught up at the airport. They are MIA in all the clips of tasks and were very lost so I am, unfortunately calling a Gary and Mallory elimination this week.

I think that is the general consensus we have come to here. Good sum up of the prediction for this week.

Thanks! Here it is embedded, and I will do caps when I get home tonight!

For Chateau to do shadow time, it will help him to know where this is...maybe someone could search flickr for the rappelling areas I posted before and see if anything looks similar? I can't today...

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"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

Surmountable obstaclesAs a destination for rock-climbers, Oman is unmatched in the region for its appeal and many outdoor activities take place around the mountain ranges. More than 160 climbs have been pioneered, and graded from easy to extremely difficult. Jebel Ghul in the Al Dakhiliyah region towers 300 metres and offers Alpine-style climbing at its best. The Jebel Misfah, which is part of the Jebel Akhdar range, features climbs varying from 120 metres to 500 metres.

The best-known site is Jebel Misht in Nizwa, which has the largest rock face in the Arabian Peninsula. It's essential to be in good physical condition in order to negotiate the climb and it's also advisable to engage a local guide familiar with the terrain.

The mountains provide excellent conditions for trekking. Trips to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams in Nizwa can be arranged easily through local tour operators. The Eastern Hajar mountains enable you to combine trekking in the mountains and camping on the beaches. In addition to enjoyable trekking, these spots provide breathtaking views of surrounding areas.

Jebel Shams (Jabal Shams), or "mountain of the sun", is the highest point in Oman at over 3,000 metres. The trek to the Wadi Nakhr Gorge, also known as the Grand Canyon of Oman, is an unforgettable experience. The trek to reach the cliff dwellings in the canyon begins at the village of Al Khateem and the path is littered with rocky rubble. Deep bends, overhanging rocks and panoramic views of the canyon all add to the exhilarating experience.

Situated 145 kilometres southwest of Muscat at the far end of Wadi Bani Awf in the Wilayat of Rustaq is Snake Canyon, which offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences for adventure-seekers. At 1,000 metres, the canyon is a 200-metre deep fissure, approximately three kilometres long, providing an idyllic location where visitors can walk, swim, or climb rocks.

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

Wow...Dr Rox was right then! I never would have spotted that as a mine!! Thanks!!

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"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

Since it appears to be high noon (and even my inexperienced eyes would guess so) then this task is probably about four hours separated from the RI at Riyam. To Jebel Shams is about 100 mile trip on the road so that seems to be a likely area. On the other hand they might could make it to the mining region in Sohar by then.

The rapelling roadblock does appear to be at Jebel Shams area. Those cliffs are to high to be an open pit mine.

"On the next leg of Prof Uraiís geological tour, the audience was introduced to geological quirks in the Jabal Akhdar and Jabal Shams areas that truly attest to Omanís spectacular geological heritage. Fossils and other geological features dating from the Cretaceous to the Jurassic periods can be found in and around Wadi Nakhr, a dramatic gorge located 3,000 metres above sea level in Jabal Akhdar.

Jabal Shams has its own share of geological wonders, according to Prof Urai. Along the rim of the canyon are Cretaceous and Jurassic era rock layers, while elsewhere can be found rock veins ó exposed fractures that have the semblance of rock art. Importantly, the study of Omanís exceptional geological heritage has benefits that go beyond the search for hydrocarbons, says Prof Urai."

The big blocky rock formation appear to be marine limestones and dolostones of the Cretaceous/Jurassic eras..

IF they go to the open pit copper mines in the Sohar area, there is a major highway due south out of Sohar to the Nizwa/Bahla area, which are the gateways to the Wadi Nakhr/Grand Canyon region. The teams would not have to drive back to the Muttah/Muscat area. Another possible drive a box around Oman.

This article is from Oct, 2003 and could explain the use of drivers. The teams could drive themselves to the Wadi, then have drivers drive them to the top and bottom of the roadblock, then back out of the Wadi.

"Walking time is around three hours one-way. At one point the road leaves the wadi and cuts a twisting swathe through the rugged terrain, skirting small hamlets en route. Work is still under way on a 10km stretch to the summit, a rocky plateau that offers unparalleled views of Wadi Nakhr and its splendid gorge."

I think Chateau has it: the Shams/Nakhur area. I don't have my tools with me, but compare the rockface in the cap with the one in this photo. Also, according to this photoset, there's a village near the cliffs that can be reached by car.

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan

"Our fans are pretty good. They don't give away too much. Sometimes people love dropping spoilers, but our fans are good. They tend to do it in such a way that doesn't ruin it for fans who don't want to know."--Phil Keoghan